The Last of Us Part 3: Why It Shouldn’t Try to Outshine Its Predecessor in This Key Aspect | Avoid

The Last of Us Part 3 is coming, and the narrative course it takes shall be fascinating to behold, particularly because the final recreation in the sequence would not precisely depart a lot room for additional progress. The Last of Us 2 acquired hundreds of backlash for its inventive decisions, which means {that a} follow-up may both double-down with a daring and dangerous story or play issues a bit extra protected. Given Naughty Dog's unapologetic framing of TLOU‘s plot, it is protected to say that the previous choice appears a bit extra doubtless.

Easily probably the most controversial facet of The Last of Us Part 2 is its dual-protagonist construction. Not solely is Joel Miller brutally murdered in the primary act of the sport, however gamers are finally tasked with taking part in as his killer for a number of hours. This is finished in an try to draw empathy from the viewers, making gamers perceive Abby's perspective and understand, finally, that conventional notions of proper and improper could not apply inside this post-apocalyptic world, outlined by violence and survival at any price. But sufficient has been mentioned concerning the inclusion of Abby as a playable character over the previous 4 years — the extra urgent concern is that if and the way Naughty Dog will evolve this strategy in The Last of Us 3.

The Last of Us 3 Could Add More Playable Characters, however Shouldn't

The Last of Us 3 Can't Spread Its Plot Too Thin

There's an opportunity that The Last of Us 3 may have a number of protagonists, as that is successfully a convention for the sequence; The Last of Us‘ story was break up between Joel and Ellie, and its sequel employs the identical break up, however between Ellie and Abby. With Abby and Ellie each surviving the occasions of The Last of Us 2, there's a chance, and maybe even a necessity, to put them each in the highlight for the third recreation, giving gamers satisfying, conclusive endings to each of their tales.

The concern is how to sq. this narrative circle. Ellie and Abby go their separate methods by the top of TLOU2, having buried the hatchet and presumably transferring on from their particular person grief and anger. It's not too exhausting to think about one other compelling chapter specializing in one of them, but it surely could possibly be unnatural and unjustifiable to inform each of these tales in a single recreation. In different phrases, there is not any longer connective tissue between these two characters; stitching them again collectively would possibly outcome in a Frankenstein state of affairs, and never in a great way.

The Last of Us 3 Might Be Best with One Protagonist

With The Last of Us 3 doubtless closing out the franchise, it is going to be paramount for it to be as conclusive and satisfying as doable. After The Last of Us 2, it is clear that Ellie is the principle character of the general sequence: she sits on the middle of the primary recreation, overcoming numerous challenges and remodeling alongside Joel in the method, and she or he is the driving drive behind Part 2‘s plot. As such, no matter occurs in The Last of Us 3 needs to be centered squarely on her.

Handing gamers the reins to one other character, except it is in a minor or inconsequential capability, may undermine this closing chapter of Ellie's journey. Though it would appear to be a step backward from the extra numerous gameplay and storytelling supplied by the earlier video games' shifting views, it will truly put a finer level on the whole Last of Us narrative, sacrificing a extra advanced plot in favor of a satisfying ending for its principal character.